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When you don't need to pay for a TV licence

If you’re not watching or recording live TV, you don’t need a licence. So catch-up TV, streaming or downloading programmes after they’ve been shown or programmes available online before being shown on TV don't count.

But be careful, because while it's possible, right now very few people fall into that category.

“Whatever device you are using and however you’re watching, you need to be licensed to watch programmes at the same time as they are shown on TV, or live on an online TV service. Fewer than two per cent of households only watch catch-up TV so don't need a licence,” a spokeswoman from TV Licensing told the Mirror .

iPlayer warning

You now need a TV Licence to watch iPlayer online, on your phone, tablet or TV.

"When the licence fee was invented, video on demand did not exist," Culture Secretary John Whittingdale said last March. Shortly, after his comment, the rules changed.

So if you're watching iPlayer, but don't have a licence, you're now risking a fine.

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When you absolutely DO need a TV licence

Anyone watching or recording live TV broadcasts needs to have a TV licence – no matter what they're watching it on – or they could get a hefty fine.

That means watching on a phone, laptop or tablet still counts as long as it's broadcast. Yup, even using someone else's SkyGo login at home means you need one as licences are tied to addresses.

If you're in a shared house, you might well be able to get away with one licence for the house - rather than one each – but in almost every other case you'll need a licence unless you never watch broadcast TV.

But there's some good news - while you need a licence, you might not need to pay full price for one.

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Legal TV licence discounts

As TV licences apply to addresses, not individuals, as long as someone qualifying for a discount lives at your address and the licence is in their name, the whole house benefits.

So who gets a discount? Well, older Britons don't need a TV licence.

That means when you reach the age of 75, you can apply for a free over 75 TV Licence . They last 3 years and will be sent out provided you give them your national insurance number. In fact, if you're 74, you can even apply for a short-term licence to cover up up until your 75th birthday.

Secondly, while it's not free, but anyone who's blind (severely sight impaired) can get half price TV licences . Again, this means the rest of the house is covered too.

If you're renting, you don't need a separate TV licence for your room if you have a relationship with the homeowner (and live in their main house) or a joint tenancy agreement - but do need one if you have a separate tenancy agreement for just your room.

There are also other times you might be able to get money back on the £147 - for example if you're a student you can get a £37 refund.

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What your licence covers

If you live somewhere with a TV licence, you don't need another if you're watching TV on a device that runs on batteries elsewhere (ie a tablet, phone or handheld TV) as long as it's not plugged into the mains.

If you're on (or own) a boat or touring caravan you also don't need a new TV licence to watch telly in that either.

You're also covered for static caravans, mobile homes and movable chalets - provided no one is at home watching TV while you're using them. If someone is at the main address, you need to fill out a declaration form .

However, if you have a second or holiday house, flat, bungalow or cottage then that needs its own TV licence if you're going to watch live (or recorded live) TV there - no matter what device it's on.